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Brand Tracker: the filing trends of the world’s most valuable brands

In the first instalment of a new series, we track the trademark filing activity of the world’s most valuable brands – revealing that Mercedes-Benz may be gearing up to launch an AI assistant.

17 Jan 2020

Siemens’ controversial coal mine contract has put brand at risk of greenwashing accusations

The German conglomerate has portrayed itself as a steward of sustainability, but when it comes to corporate social responsibility, it’s an all or nothing game as this week’s coal mine contract backlash illustrates.

17 Jan 2020

KIPO urges idol IP protection, Extinction Rebellion brand headache, and CCFN praises US-China deal: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a Love Island star being reprimanded due to an Instagram post, the theme for World IP Day 2020, the Chilean IP office being praised for a reduction in the gender gap, and much more.

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22 Jan 2020

No free ticket for toys at the border: BMW successfully defends itself against lawsuit by toy manufacturer

Well-known car manufacturer BMW has successfully defended itself against a lawsuit filed by a toy car manufacturer in Germany. The plaintiff sought an injunction and damages following an allegedly inadmissible seizure of goods at the border. Read more

20 Jan 2020

Nivea - recognise the blue?

The dispute between Unilever and Beiersdorf over the latter’s abstract colour mark for its ‘Nivea Blue’, which lasted for over a decade, has finally come to an end. Read more

14 Jan 2020

Infringement and filings increase but budget no longer the primary concern, says new study

As trademark filing numbers increase globally, a new report by CompuMark provides data on a rise in infringement incidents that trademark professionals are experiencing. While these infringements are costly, budget does not currently top the list of concerns for in-house teams. Read more

13 Jan 2020

IP services sector gets new player, as Novagraaf and PAVIS prepare to ramp up NovumIP launch

Novagraaf and PAVIS recently joined forces to create a new IP service provider. In an exclusive interview with WTR, the chairman of the new entity, NovumIP, has expanded on how it will become "a new force in the IP market". Read more

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Anti-counterfeiting

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29 Nov 2019

DPMA warns of scam invoices, Poundland versus Greggs, and WIPO DG candidate list widens: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at the Philippines IP Office reviving its arbitration service, the advocate general finding that Amazon didn’t infringe on Coty’s trademark rights, the first GIs being processed in Ivory Coast, and much more. Read more

14 May 2019

Procedures and strategies for anti-counterfeiting: Germany

For civil enforcement against counterfeiting, an application must be made to the ordinary courts. Preliminary ex parte measures play an important role, but are admissible only for some of the remedies available. Claims for damages, for example, can be enforced within substantive proceedings only. Read more

19 Oct 2018

Facebook’s WHOIS access woes, DPMA’s IP workshop for refugees, and Santa-Cruz leaves INAPI: news round-up

In our latest round-up, we look at the Croatian president talking up nation branding, Gucci voicing “reluctance” to work with Alibaba and JD.com, brand owners readying themselves for motion marks, and much more. Read more

12 Sep 2018

Trademark procedures and strategies: Germany

Commercial designations are protected against newer identical or confusingly similar trade designations and trademarks once they are first used in Germany, but details of this protection can be complex. Read more

Brand management

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23 Oct 2019

Baker McKenzie leads law firm brand index; cross-border focus highlighted

Market analysis from Acritas has found that the most successful law firm brands come from global firms focusing on Germany at a time when much domestic growth has stalled. Read more

18 Oct 2019

A new dawn for grocery stores: how major brands are changing to counter low-cost rivals

The departure of Tesco’s CEO signifies the retailer’s successful turnaround, but this is just the beginning as long-time players overhaul businesses to stay in the game. Read more

20 Sep 2019

“It’s the fear of the unknown”: Microsoft’s Priscilla Gomes on why AI should be embraced by the legal community

At this week's INTA Trademark Administrators and Practitioners meeting, WTR sat down with Priscilla Gomes, a paralegal in the Windows and games department of Microsoft, to find out whether fears of AI are warranted or misguided by legal professionals. Read more

22 Jul 2019

What Volkswagen’s portfolio tells us about disruption in the automotive industry

With the rise of autonomous driving technology, ride-hailing companies and micromobility transportation, traditional automotive manufacturers need to evolve fast. Positively, the strength and reputation of existing brands will prove key to fighting off digital start-ups. Read more

Enforcement and litigation

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22 Jan 2020

No free ticket for toys at the border: BMW successfully defends itself against lawsuit by toy manufacturer

20 Jan 2020

Nivea - recognise the blue?

The dispute between Unilever and Beiersdorf over the latter’s abstract colour mark for its ‘Nivea Blue’, which lasted for over a decade, has finally come to an end. Read more

9 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Germany

4 Dec 2019

Radiator grilles: Audi remains the lord of the four rings

The German Federal Court of Justice has held that an independent seller of spare parts had infringed Audi’s famous figurative mark by offering and selling radiator grilles featuring a mounting fixture in the shape of four rings. Read more

Goverment/policy

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11 Apr 2018

Customs concerns: counsel identify significant room for improvement in India, Iran and Turkey

Trademark counsel have had their say on the efficiency of customs authorities across the globe – with some of the largest importers of counterfeit goods giving cause for continued concern. Read more

Law firms

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1 Aug 2019

Best practice in litigation strategies: global perspectives

Trademark experts from around the world offer practical guidance on how to maximise the chances of litigation success in their jurisdiction. Read more

23 Jan 2019

You get what you pay for? Variances in law firm hourly rates revealed

New research has revealed the variance in the hourly rates charged by law firm practitioners for trademark-related work in key jurisdictions, with the hourly rate for a partner ranging from $30 to $880. Read more

7 Sep 2018

The fall of the own-name defence

The ability to raise the own-name defence in Europe is about to come to an end. This article examines the consequences of recent own-name legislative changes for businesses in Europe. Read more

13 Mar 2018

Managing a pharmaceutical trademark portfolio with the assistance of outside counsel

Responsibility for a company’s portfolio is frequently placed in the hands of a few specialists. Often, this is not the only task carried out within the department. However, the legal protection of trademarks requires a high degree of specialisation. Read more

IP offices

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25 Oct 2019

Supreme most searched fake brand, 'tm.com' for sale, and more unauthorised Greta Thunberg marks: news digest

In our latest round-up, we look at a new study finding few marketers are confident in consistent brand values, brands being warned of being too political, Diesel engaging in a trademark battle with a reality star, and much more. Read more

5 Apr 2019

How South Africa’s predicted economic upswing will create opportunities for brands and their advisors

The country is seeing increased interest from international entities - particularly from the US; this will likely grow in scale as not only the South African economy develops, but as other emerging markets on the African continent grow. Read more

6 Apr 2018

Trademark offices prepare for the future as users give poor performance grades

The performance levels of the Chinese, Brazilian and Indian trademark offices have clear room for improvement but change could be afoot. Read more

17 Nov 2017

Germany’s hearty trademark scene and stunning courtroom win rates: exclusive data analysis

The latest country data report focuses on Germany. We reveal the European powerhouse’s leading sectors and explain how the country’s robust brands have continued to surge in value. Read more

Online

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8 Oct 2019

Ortlieb v Amazon - the constant struggle to find what you are looking for

In the longstanding dispute between outdoor gear company Ortlieb and Amazon in Germany, the Federal Supreme Court has confirmed that the use of the trademark ORTLIEB by Amazon in online advertisements constituted trademark infringement. Read more

18 Oct 2017

German Federal Court rules on Google’s Image Search

The Federal Court of Justice has handed down a judgment of utmost importance for the exploitation of copyright on the Internet. The decision, which will become known and referred to under the name Thumbnail III, examined whether the display of preview images in search results constituted an act of making available a copyright work in the sense of the copyright law. Read more

1 Mar 2017

Germany: Fight for your (domain name) rights

As more and more companies use the Internet to sell goods and services, it is crucial to register the right domain name and then to protect it effectively Read more

Portfolio management

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26 Nov 2019

Unregistered designs - how to disclose and save novelty

The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in London has referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union two questions on unregistered Community design rights which have been discussed in legal literature for years. Read more

18 Nov 2019

Protecting and enforcing design rights: Germany

22 Jul 2019

What Volkswagen’s portfolio tells us about disruption in the automotive industry

26 Apr 2019

Trademark Premier League: Manchester United crowned 2019 champions, as Messi pulls ahead of Neymar

With today’s World Intellectual Property Day celebrating the importance of IP in sports, research conducted by WTR finds that Manchester United has the most significant trademark portfolio of any global football club. Read more

Trademark law

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9 Dec 2019

Litigation procedures and strategies: Germany

30 Sep 2019

Procedures and strategies for pharmaceutical brands: Germany

According to Section 10 of the Act on Advertising in the Field of Health, prescription-only medicinal products may be advertised only to doctors, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists and persons authorised to trade in such medicinal products. Read more

26 Sep 2019

Unauthorised 'Greta Thunberg' and 'Extinction Rebellion' trademarks could pose a threat to climate change activists

Two major figures in the climate change activism movement, campaigner Greta Thunberg and protest movement Extinction Rebellion, are facing a legal battle in Germany due to unauthorised trademark applications. Read more

13 Sep 2019

Extinction Rebellion trademark, Egypt fee rise, and Crocs Gloves in art gallery: news digest

In our latest edition, we look at Māori uproar over a New Zealand trademark application, WIPO in Hungary, MARQUES addressing long goods and services lists at the EUIPO, and much more. Read more

Twitter

28 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine US Postal Service, Amazon and Google named most trusted brands for reliability – but consumer priorities are changi… https://t.co/exvwHjx2I2 Read more

28 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine Not blocked – Meghan, Harry and a tale of trademark misreporting. https://t.co/kwVKJRoWUS https://t.co/GN6YeQMpv5 Read more

28 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine Brand Tracker: the filing trends of the world’s most valuable brands. https://t.co/TwLfMpzg8X https://t.co/r0OFYQ8gSQ Read more

28 Jan 2020

@WTRmagazine Do better or face the consequences: Homeland Security sends counterfeits warning to e-commerce platforms.… https://t.co/tSsr5EHItr Read more